Cruisetouring to the Lodges of Alaska

Alaska’s coastline is spectacular, but much more lies beyond, and some cruise lines can take you there. With a "cruisetour” – a combination of a coastal cruise and a land-based tour – you can immerse yourself in a more complete Alaskan experience. Interior destinations – which include Denali National Park, Wrangell-Elias National Park, Fairbanks, the Yukon and the Kenai Peninsula – are brimming with scenic wonders and fascinating history.

Before or after you enjoy the comfort of your stateroom on the ship, your land-based accommodations will provide a different experience that will be just as memorable. There are chain hotels in Alaska, but cruisetours favor delightfully rustic, welcoming lodges that are more in harmony with the frontier flavor of the state.

Holland America Line’s cruisetours use several different lodges, including Winterlake Lodge on the famed Iditarod trail. Overlooking narrow Red Lake, the lodge has lovely views of the Alaska Range and Trimble Glacier.

Winterlake Lodge has five unique log cabins for guests, with simple, cozy furnishings and beautiful views. From the cabins, it’s a brief walk through the fresh air to the main lodge, where you can relax in a yoga class or in the hot tub, choose a glass of wine, socialize by the fire, admire the lake views from large picture windows or take a cooking class.

Princess Cruises accommodates cruisetour guests in four different lodges owned by the cruise line. For visitors to Denali National Park, Princess offers two lodges: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is just outside the park entrance, and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge has a view of Denali itself (Denali is the native name for Mt. McKinley, the tallest peak in North America).

Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge has spacious guest rooms with nine-foot ceilings and sitting areas. The main lodge has a massive stone fireplace and lofty, floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the inspiring view of Denali. The outdoor deck is a perfect place to sit and drink in the view – unless you’d rather soak in one of the hot tubs or walk up the Hill Trail.

Just getting from your ship to your lodge can be another memorable experience of Alaska. Both Princess and Holland America Line offer rail service as part of their Alaska cruisetour packages. Some trains have special glass-domed cars for full, unobstructed viewing (watch for wildlife along the way).

For more information about the excellent variety of Alaska cruisetours available to you, talk with your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert.